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Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Link Between Hearing Loss And Dementia

Hearing loss has been identified in every 2 to 3 children
out of every 1000, born every year in the United States. (National Institute on Deafness and other
Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 2015) Over time, studies have also come
to light which have linked dementia to the hearing loss disabilities in
different individuals. Given the rising trend of hearing loss in the world, it
is a cause of major concern.

Hearing Loss And Dementia – Different Medical Conditions But Connected?

Dementia is a medical condition which is related to the
decline in the overall mental ability of an individual. Memory loss which
affects the daily life rituals is also a condition known as dementia. (Alzheimer's Association ) It is a condition
which has a wide range of symptoms, which include:

·Loss of ability to focus and pay attention to
the task at hand

·Impairment in visual perception

·Communication impairment and hindrance in
language

·Impaired reasoning and judgment

·Short term memory loss

While dementia might be caused due to a number of reasons, a
study shows that around 30% of adults aged more than 60 years of age, are at a
risk of suffering from this disease. (Lin,
Metter, O'Brien, Resnick, Zonderman, & Ferrucci, 2012) And along with
a number of causes, hearing loss is being attributed as a possible cause for
dementia in people too.

A recent fact details that hearing loss, which has affected
more than 40 million people of the American population, is linked to an
increase in the risk probability of dementia and other cognitive problems as
well. According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, the number of
reported hearing loss cases, are on the rise, and it is estimated that around
two thirds of the individuals who reach their 70s suffer from hearing loss. (Griffin, 2015)

While previously it was considered that hearing loss is an
inconsequential part of the aging process, recent studies have prompted experts
to think otherwise. An otologist and epidemiologist from John Hopkins
University stated that the recent studies have started depicting a link between
dementia, brain activity and hearing loss. (Griffin,
2015)

If the study results prove to
be true, then there is a chance to avoid dementia, by treating hearing loss aggressively.

Study Linking Dementia To Hearing Loss

Study investigations suggest that while dementia and hearing
loss are unconnected medical conditions, common pathology or the continuous
strain of decoding innumerable sounds over the years, might result in the
condition where the minds of the individuals who suffer from hearing loss are
overwhelmed. This in turn, suggests a high likelihood of linking hearing loss
to dementia. (John Hopkins Institute, 2011)

As hearing loss leaves individuals socially isolated, it is
also being considered as a major reason for dementia. Taking all these factors
into consideration, scientists have proposed a theory to try and use hearing
aids as interventions, to treat the severity of hearing loss symptoms in
individuals. By doing this, they aim to study the chances of reduced dementia
symptoms in people, who are at a high risk of suffering from the medical
condition. (John Hopkins Institute, 2011)

Research is underway to further explore this strong
connection between the two conditions, and scientists are trying to find ways
to treat one condition to avoid the other.

This
article is written by: Dr. Lori Trentacoste, head audiologist at Island Better
Hearing (www.islandbetterhearing.com)
All images and content in this article are the sole property of the LIAHP and
Dr. Trentacoste (c) 2015, All rights reserved. Use of this article or
any content references from this article and/or other written products in this
blogsite must be done with express permission from Dr. Lori Trentacoste.

National Institute on
Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). (2015, April 20th). Quick
Statistics. Retrieved April 27th, 2015, from National Institute on Deafness
and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD):
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/pages/quick.aspx

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About Me

Lori graduated with a Master’s degree from the University of Buffalo in 1986. Lori graduated with her Doctorate in Audiology in 2010 from the Arizona School of Health Sciences. Lori is Board Certified in Audiology (ABA) and has been a part of Island Better Hearing since her dad, Bob Trentacoste, began the Practice back in 1972. Island Better Hearing is one of the oldest family owned and operated audiology and hearing aid dispensing practice in the tri-state area.
Lori has been actively involved in many professional organizations locally and nationally such as the ADA, ASHA, LISHA, ABA, etc. Lori works with other local agencies which includes the County Early Intervention program and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. She is on the Board of Directors for the Hearing Care Group, a local agency of Audiologists/Practice Owners who work to increase consumer awareness to Hearing loss and current trends in hearing aid technology.